– AIR COMMODORE – 40 Minutes + 20 Minutes in the Tiger Moth

Fly in the Dragon Rapide, wing to wing with the iconic Spitfire one of the most famous aircraft in the world.

All the action takes place at IWM Duxford, Europe’s premier aviation museum, an important fighter base for the RAF, and home of the first Spitfire.

Spend the day immersed in the nostalgia of WWII and the Battle of Britain, surrounded by flying legends of the Second World War.
All the aircraft we fly on these events are genuine Second World War aircraft that would have participated in some way, either as fighters or trainers.

A wistful voyage back in time in the elegant Dragon Rapide, one of Britain’s most unforgettable pre-war flying machines.

AIR COMMODORE

Flight duration : approx 40 mins in the Rapide,
20 mins in the Tiger Moth
Allow a full day for this very special experience

UPGRADE to the Air Commodore Package to enjoy everything in the Wing Commander Package PLUS the additional benefits of:

• A flight in the Tiger Moth, the RAF’s training aircraft for Spitfire pilots Don the leather helmet, jacket and goggles and on this flight you get to take the controls!
• An additional photograph of you in the Tiger Moth
• Video of your flight in the Tiger Moth
• Log Book style record of your flight
• An informal viewing of  one of Duxford’s exhibition hangars

Guests gather at the Classic Wings Booking Office on the flightline of Duxford’s runway. This area has superb views over the airfield and runway, and is a great place to watch as aircraft take off and land.

Highlight of the day is your 40 minute flight in the de Havilland Dragon Rapide, during which you will fly wing to wing with the Spitfire as she cruises alongside and flies in close formation with you, displaying on both sides of the aircraft. You will fly gently over the Cambridgeshire countryside in the Dragon Rapide until a roar of the Merlin engine heralds the arrival of the iconic warbird beside you – a magical moment!

Every seat in the Rapide has a window, giving you the chance for some stunning air-to-air photography as you cruise over the Cambridgeshire countryside, dotted with ex RAF wartime bases.

The Rapide is a fitting aircraft from which to see the Spitfire as she flies alongside, being an aircraft used extensively in the Second World War and renowned for her grace and reliability.

Having seen the Spitfire in action in the air, you now have the opportunity to see the aircraft up close and personal during a ground viewing and walk around of both the Spitfire and the Rapide. Take photographs, examine the cockpit, look at the instruments and ask any questions you like.

Both pilots will meet with you to talk about these historic aircraft and what it takes to fly them. Find out first hand how exciting it is to be at the controls of Britain’s most well- known aircraft.

Relax at ‘The Workshop’ restaurant for lunch. Friends and family are welcome to join you if they wish to buy their own lunch.

Time for your second flight – and this time you will be in the front seat. After a briefing from your instructor you will fly in a Tiger Moth, the RAF’s training aircraft for Spitfire pilots. Don the leather jacket helmet and goggles and imagine yourself as a wartime pilot getting your first taste of flying. On this 20 minute flight you get to take the controls!

Take home a Video of your Tiger Moth flight

Pose for a photo seated in the Tiger Moth, ready for action.

Your instructor will give you a Pilot’s Log Book style record of your flight

Finally, it’s back to the Flight Line for a celebratory glass of champagne, where the pilots will sign your certificate if you wish, and you can collect the photo of you taken beside the Spitfire, plus your photo of you seated in the Tiger Moth, ready for action in helmet, jacket and goggles.

If there’s any time left after all that, you are free to explore IWM Duxford’s historic and rare aviation collection covering over 85 acres – 7 impressive hangars filled with extraordinary aircraft, interactive exhibitions, conservations hangars, and land warfare collections.